Hauling Produce

I agree. We know they are in short supply.

I have a good feeling that @boredsocial is on the "good list"...

 

What you need is a Produce Blue Book . This book, issued every 6 months ( I think ) gives all the produce shippers,receivers, truckers, farmers,that deal in produce, and shows their credit scores, business ratings, receiving / shipping hours , etc.Also shows what product is being shipped from different areas during their seasons.
The produce world is very different from other trucking types. You can be eaten alive and go broke, or make a decent rate for all the extra hassle on some loads.

- Produce Blue Book

 

I believe the usda puts out that blue book. I hated produce myself. I think most guys here on the flatbed side did. That's why we went to open deck.

 

The only thing I see loaded on a flat is onions, green beans, oranges, and tomatoes. The last three only after they have put sides, cages or tubs on. Oh and apples. I guess since you're in nc talk with Apple farms in western nc. If on the eastern shore, green beans. But they have started moving already this year.

 

No it is published by a private company, expensive but worth it. They also advise you on USDA rules, and will arbitrate disputes.

 

As I've always said...

Every negotiation favors the better informed....and information is power...

And we all know how much "information" truckers gather while holding on to a steering...lol

Thank you @jbatmick for that blue book link.

 

I've never hauled produce: or much but open deck really. However, the places I go that primarily service those types of industries ... The interaction with the people there makes me unlikely to try it. They do tend to change their tune kinda quick when they find out why I'm there: but that's only bc of WHY I'm there not who I am.

 

We gather a lot. Just most of it is mis information.

 

Yep, they act like you're an inconvenience, then it's like "oh you got what, yeah pull over there and we'll be right out"

 

I ran reefer for a year as a company driver. Knowing what I went through as a driver,.. I couldnt imagine the head aches involved as an O/O.

Open deck is a lot easier and less drama for me.

I read guys crying about brokers all the time. Yet they continue to take the same #### loads for the same #### rates. Thats like smashing your finger with a hammer and wondering why it continues to hurt. Do something different,.. figure out where the money is and how to negotiate it.

Hurst